Inventory Cost Accountant

West Coast Personnel; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 355,000 - 426,000; Full time

Job summary

West Coast Personnel in Paarl, Western Cape, is seeking an Inventory Cost Accountant to manage inventory costing, stock controls and reporting. You will ensure accurate valuations, maintain reliable system records and provide cost analysis to support purchasing, pricing and profitability.

Duties include implementing Pastel Evolution inventory data and controls, maintaining the inventory master file and warehouse locations, coordinating stock takes and reconciling variances.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Accounting, Cost Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Relevant experience in inventory accounting, product costing and stock control.
• Proficient in Pastel Evolution inventory records, costing and pricing.
• Strong Excel skills for reconciliations and reporting.
• Understanding of inventory valuation and GL reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Inventory Systems & Controls: Implement and maintain accurate inventory data in Pastel Evolution; Maintain the inventory master file, product information and warehouse locations; Implement and monitor internal controls to ensure accurate stock quantities, costing and valuation; Manage minimum stock levels and coordinate timely replenishment at competitive prices.

Skills

Inventory costing

Stock control

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Accounting/Cost Accounting qualification

Tools

Pastel Evolution

Microsoft Excel

Job description

INVENTORY COST ACCOUNTANT

Paarl, Western Cape

R35,000 per month

An opportunity exists for a detail-oriented Inventory Cost Accountant to manage inventory costing, stock controls and reporting. The successful candidate will ensure accurate inventory valuations, maintain reliable system records and provide cost analysis to support purchasing, pricing and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Systems & Controls

• Implement and maintain accurate inventory data in Pastel Evolution.
• Maintain the inventory master file, product information and warehouse locations.
• Implement and monitor internal controls to ensure accurate stock quantities, costing and valuation.
• Manage minimum stock levels and coordinate timely replenishment at competitive prices.

Product Costing & Pricing

• Calculate and maintain accurate costs for imported and locally sourced products.
• Verify bills of materials, component costs and finished-product costing.
• Perform product costing and analyse cost movements and discrepancies.
• Maintain the pricing matrix and ensure the correct inventory discount levels are applied in Pastel Evolution.
• Calculate and analyse gross profit margins and highlight pricing or costing concerns.
• Negotiate supplier discounts and identify purchasing savings.

Stock Counts & Reconciliations

• Coordinate and oversee stock takes across all stores and warehouse locations.
• Capture stock-count results, investigate variances and process approved adjustments.
• Reconcile stock-on-hand records and inventory valuations to the relevant general ledger accounts.
• Investigate and report stock shortages, wastage and suspected theft.
• Recommend corrective measures to improve stock accuracy and reduce losses.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare inventory, costing, gross profit and stock-variance reports.
• Analyse inventory movements and identify slow-moving, obsolete or excess stock.
• Support month-end inventory reconciliations and reporting.
• Maintain supporting documentation and accurate audit trails.

Requirements

• Relevant qualification in Accounting, Cost Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Relevant experience in inventory accounting, product costing and stock control.
• Practical proficiency in Pastel Evolution, particularly inventory records, costing and pricing.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills for reconciliations, reporting and data analysis.
• Sound understanding of inventory valuation, bills of materials, gross profit calculations and general ledger reconciliations.
• Understanding of costing for imported and locally purchased products.
• Experience coordinating stock takes and investigating stock discrepancies.
• Ability to maintain pricing structures, discount levels and minimum stock requirements.
• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and accuracy.
• Effective communication and supplier-negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities and meet reporting deadlines.
• High levels of integrity and accountability when handling financial and inventory information.